Saturday, August 15, 2009

A side-note on supporting characters

I've been reading a few category books lately. In terms of satisfaction, they tend to be hit and miss, especially as so many of them are series that I either unwittingly (and unwillingly) find myself in the middle of, or find myself at the beginning of with no desire to hunt down the rest.*

But that's a discussion for another day - April 11th to be precise. What I really want to talk about is the true role of a SUPPORTING character.

I'm reading a book right now that has six rather major supporting characters. I know them all by name. And I know them all by how they relate to the main characters. That is ALL I know about them. This is something that I really appreciate about this book. If we've been told anything about what they look like, it's only a sentence, maybe two. We know nothing of their hopes, dreams, aspirations, how they grew up, or what informs their personalities.

They are fully fleshed-out, 3D characters who clearly have more depth than we are shown on the page, but that depth is revealed in their interactions with the main characters, and only in those interactions. Not in long introductions about why they are who they are, not in sidebars told info-dump style about how the H or H met them or who their spouses are or even in meandering soliloquies out of the supporting characters' mouths themselves. No, we see exactly who these people are through the well-chosen words that leave their mouths and through how their actions (or lack thereof) affect the main characters.

I'm only halfway through this book, it could tank in the second half, but somehow I doubt that's going to happen. The author is clearly a gifted story-teller and her long list of publishing credits indicate that she's been at this for a while. In fact she just threw in a twist that was so beautifully set-up I am aching to know if she's a pantser or a plotter, and if she knew she was going to have to throw in a test like this, or if it came to her in a dream or she reverse engineered it because something in the characters was telling her to dig deeper. But I'm digressing again, back to the supporting characters.

Now, one of the things that may be helping this along is that I don't feel like I'm being set up for a sequel. Sometimes these things are inevitable, and oftentimes they're heavy-handed, but I have faith in the author that this book will have everything wrapped up in a nice, neat bow for me by the time I hit the HEA Epilogue, which means her supporting characters are just that. Supporting. They're not making their debut before they take the stage themselves. They don't have to steal a single scene to whet our appetite for their own stories.

These supporters of her main characters show up to reveal the strengths, weaknesses, flaws, and qualities in our H & H. Isn't that really what a supporting character is supposed to be about? Not a single one of them is "perfect," or "zany," or "sassy." They're just real-life people in our H & H's real-life world that make things better, and worse, and challenging, and fulfilling. And, even more than that, we get to see how Heroine reacts to Hero's supporting characters, and then challenges him on being a better person with them ... and then, vice versa. It's almost, like, I don't know, a real relationship or something.

I'm going to head back to my cozy bed and finish the book now. I hope the author didn't get sticken with a deathly case of The Tropes before she finished the book. Somehow, I have a feeling she'll retain her refreshing style 'til the end and once again I'll be properly schooled on That's How You Tell A Story!

5 comments:

I have read Practice Makes Perfect (Julies James right?). I really liked it. I'm curious to know what you think of it when you're done. As I know this is not the book you are referring to in your blog (cuz it doesn't have that many supporting characters) I'm curious as to the title. I would love to read it. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie is exactly like this book you're describing and I thought that might be it until I got to your list of current reads at the bottom.

PMP was a good read, though something in the back of my head was resistant to reading about lawyers. I think maybe it was the whole Been There Done That feel of 'hardened career woman.' And the fact that the job itself provided the main conflict also didn't help in its appeal.

OTOH, it was a really good read, and that's a testament to Ms James' writing that she could make me enjoy the book when I had so much internal resistance to it.

And I might pick up Bet Me again this week because we all need a bit more Crusie in our lives.

But the book I was referring to was the one listed in the Currently reading: Mother In the Making by Lilian Darcy. A very well-written category. The cover and title are victims of the marketing department, as they don't have much to do with the story. It's not a Desert Isle Keeper or anything, but I'd happily pass it to someone who is looking for a good category read.

Yeah, I read Just the Sexiest Man Alive. Again, it was about a lawyer, but at least the hero had a different profession. And it was also a fun read. A nice straight contemporary with a really good voice. Plus my fifth planned book has a movie star hero, so I was really interested in seeing how she handled the trope :-)

If you want Mother in the Making I'd be happy to send it to you the next time I go to the Post Office. Right now it's just languishing in my Paperback Swap queue, and categories rarely "sell."

It's a good study in supporting characters (duh) and internal conflict.

Books Read in 2011

January - April

1. Powerful Italian, Penniless Housekeeper by India Grey2. Servant: the Acceptance by L.L. Foster3. Scandal: His Majesty's Love Child by Annie West4. Truly, Madly, Viking by Sandra Hill5. All Over You by Sarah Mayberry6. Having The Doctor's Baby by Theresa Southwick7. Private Demon by Lynn Viehl8. Hot For Him by Sarah Mayberry9. Lion's Heat by Lora Leigh10. Stranger by Megan Hart11. No Mercy by Sherillyn Kenyon12. Saturday Mornings by Peggy Webb13. Dark Needs by Lynn Viehl14. Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank15. Beguiled by Lori Foster16. With a Stetson and a Smile by Vicki Lewis Thompson17. Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris18. Branded By Fire by Nalini Singh19. Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh20. Not in My Bed! by Kate Hoffman21. Shakespeare's Champion by Charlaine Harris22. Night Lost by Lynn Viehl23. I is For Innocent by Sue Grafton24. WIFE is a Four Letter Word by Stephanie Bond25. Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs26. Home is for the Holidays by Sarah Mayberry27. Purity In Death by J.D. Robb28. Shakespeare's Christmas by Charlaine Harris29. Leave It To Cleavage by Wendy Wax30. Beyond Forever by Debra Dier31. Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie32. Servant: The Kindred by L.L. Foster33. Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione34. Breakfast in Bed by Robin Kaye35. J is for Judgment by Sue Grafton36. Evermore by Lynn Viehl37. Twilight Fall by Lynn Viehl38. Stay the Night by Lynn Viehl39. Lover Mine by J.R. Ward

48. Wild Fire by Christine Feehan49. Heartquake by Diane Pershing50. Beyond the Night by Susan Squires51. Shakespeare's Counselor by Charlaine Harris52. With Extreme Pleasure by Alison Kent53. Game For Anything by Bella Andre54. The Doctor's Forever Family by Marie Ferrarella55. The Comeback Cowboy by Cathy McDavid56. Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich57. Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione58. Angel's Blood by Nalini Singh59. Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole60. Mountain Wild by Stacy Kane61. A Randall Hero by Judy Christenberry62. Shut Up & Kiss Me by Christie Craig63. Life of Pi by Yann Martel64. Mr Unforgettable by Karina Bliss65. Pillars of The Earth by Ken Follett66. Taken by Midnight by Lara Adrian67. Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh68. K is for Killer by Sue Grafton

75. Understood by Maya Banks76. Crazy Emma by Brandie Buckwine77. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs78. Maid for the Billionaire by Ruth Cardello79. Night of the Living Deed by EJ Copperman80. Down In Texas by Delilah Devlin81. Baby Bonanza by Maureen Child82. Too Much Temptation by Lori Foster83. Yours for the Taking by Robin Kaye84. Lover Unleashed by J. R. Ward85. Raine by Elizabeth Amber86. When You Dare by Lori Foster

Books Read in 2010

January

1. Wild Card by Lora Leigh2. Wolf Tales VI by Kate Douglas3. From Dead To Worse by Charlaine Harris4. Her Colorado Man by Cheryl St John5. Some Like It Hot-Buttered by Jeff Cohen6. Sins Of The Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon7. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs8. Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan9. Loyalty In Death by J. D. Robb10. Undead and Unworthy by MaryJanice Davidson11. Sweet Discipline by Bonnie Hamre12. Break by Hannah Moskowitz13. Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

February

14. The Mistake She Made by Linda Style15. With Extreme Pleasure by Alison Kent16. Wolf Tales VII by Kate Douglas17. Dark Side of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon18. Divorced, Desperate & Dating by Christie Craig19. The Dream-Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon20. Caitlyn's Prize by Linda Warren21. Healing Luke by Beth Cornelison22. The Groom Wore Tulle by Lynn Kurland23. Conyn's Bride by Ingrid Weaver24. The Screwed Up Life of Charlie The Second by Drew Ferguson25. Baby In Her Arms by Stella Mclean26. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles27. Witness in Death by JD Robb

March

27. Simon Says Mommy by Kay Stockham28. Devil May Cry by Sherrliyn Kenyon29. He Calls Her Doc by Mary Brady30. Her Best Bet by Pamela Ford31. Jude's Law by Lori Foster

April

32. G is For Gumshoe by Sue Grafton33. Six by Opal Carew34. Milk Bitch Trilogy by Frances Gaines Bennett35. Judgment in Death by JD Robb36. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris37. It Happened One Knife by Jeffrey Cohen

May

38. Iron-Kissed by Patricia Briggs39. She's Got It Bad by Sarah Mayberry40. The Desert King's Housekeeper Bride by Carol Marinelli41. Upon The Midnight Clear by Sherilynn Kenyon42. Only Pleasure by Lora Leigh43. Betrayal In Death by JD Robb

50. Divorced, Desperate and Deceived by Christie Craig51. Dead In the Family by Charlaine Harris52. Seduction in Death by JD Robb53. Love at First Flight by Marie Force54. Bone-Crossed by Patricia Briggs55. Playboy Boss, Live-In Mistress by Kelly Hunter56. Undead and Unwelcome by MaryJanice Davidson57. Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy

August- December

58. Lover Mine by J.D. Ward59. The Greek's Pregnant Love by Lucy Monroe60. A Piece of Heaven by Barbara Samuel61. Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy62. Lightning that Lingers by Laura London63. Dream Chaser by Sherrilyn Kenyon64. Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich65. Wolf Tales VIII by Kate Douglas66. Ashes of Midnight by Lara Adrian67. Magnate's Mistress ... Accidentally Pregnant by Kimberly Lang68. Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy69. Reunion in Death by J.D. Robb70. Greek Tycoon, Waitress Wife by Julia James71. Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole72. Crazy For You by Jennifer Crusie73. Blade's Lady by Fiona Brand74. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows75. Marchese's Forgotten Bride by Michelle Reid76. Powerful Italian, Penniless Housekeeper by India Grey77. Servant: The Acceptance by L.L. Foster78. Scandal: His Majesty's Love Child by Annie West79. Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie80. Emily and the Notorious Prince by India Grey81. Naughty Nights at the Millionaire's Mansion by Robyn Grady82. Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye83. Demonfire by Kate Douglas84. Coulter's Woman by Maya Banks85. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger86. Shades of Midnight by Lara Adrian87. If Angels Burn by Lynn Veihl88. Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spears89. Crave by J.R. Ward90. What the Librarian Did by Karina Bliss91. H is For Homicide by Sue Grafton92. Their One and Only by Trista Ann Michaels93. Take On Me by Sarah Mayberry94. The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

12. Dirty by Megan Hart
13. Playing Easy To Get by Sherrilyn Kenyon et al
14. Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie
15. Menage by Emma Holly
16. Tale of Two Vikings by Sandra Hill
17. Dreams From My Father by Barak Obama
18. Tanner's Scheme by Lora Leigh
19. The Bride With No Name by Marie Ferrarella
20. Looking For Alaska by John Greene
21. Rapture In Death by J.D. Robb

76. C is For Corpse by Sue Grafton
77. Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl
78. The Watson Brothers by Lori Foster
79. Wild Rain by Christine Feehan
80. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
81. Rescued By the Sheik by Barbara McMahon
82. Fire & Ice by Anne Stuart
83. Gone With the Nerd by Vicki Lewis Thompson
84. Nauti Dreams by Lora Leigh
85. A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
86. Family Blessings by LaVyrle Spencer
87. Gotcha! by Christie Craig
88. Deeper by Megan Hart
89. Dead To The World by Charlaine Harris

July

90. A Weaver Wedding by Allison Leigh
91. The Family He Wanted by Karen Sandler
92. A Night At The Operation by Jeffrey Cohen
93. Naughty Little Secret by Shelley Bradley
94. Burning Wild by Christine Feehan
95. Undead and Unreturnable by MaryJanice Davidson
96. Vengeance In Death by J.D. Robb
97. This Pen For Hire by Laura Levine
98. The Bachelor's Stand-In Wife by Susan Crosby
99. Agnes and The Hitman by Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer
100. Smooth Talkin' Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

YAY! I've read one hundred books this year!

August

101. Tempting The Beast by Lora Leigh
102. D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton
103. Legend by Jude Devereaux
104. Dad in Disguise by Kate Little
105. No Rest For The Wicked by Kresley Cole
106. Mother In The Making by Lilian Darcy
107. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
108. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
109. Dead As A Doornail by Charlaine Harris
110. Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
111. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
112. Nice Girls Don't have Fangs by Molly Harper
113. A Not-So-Perfect-Past by Beth Andrews
114. Wolf Tales V by Kate Douglas
115. To Have And To Hold by Patricia Gaffney

That's it. 174 books read in 2009. Some were fantastic, some were average. A few were so bad they didn't even make the list because I couldn't finish them. I doubt I'll read as many in 2010. I plan on not having as much free time :-)